Paganfire’s Obscured Visions of Satanic Arson has that raw bootleg feel

Paganfire’s Obscured Visions of Satanic Arson has that raw bootleg feel

by rick olivares

Underground metal band Paganfire just released their fifth offering on vinyl with Obscured Visions of Satanic Arson; a split 12-inch album with veteran American death metallers Nunslaughter via Anger of Metal Records out of Germany.

This follows their vinyl releases 7-inch EP Hate Vanishing Point (2008 from Iron Bonehead Productions), Invoke False Metal’s Death (2010 from Monster Nation), Wreaking Fear and Death (2014 Anger of Metal Records), and The Witchhammer of Power (2015 from Anger of Metal Records) that is a split record with Japanese counterparts, Sabbat. 

Obscured Visions of Satanic Arson was actually released in 2016 on cassette by Malaysian underground label, Warmaster Productions, and on compact disc by Brazilian label, Voz Da Morte.

The Anger of Metal release completes the availability in the current preferred formats.

Obscured Visions of Satanic Arson captures the mayhem of the live performances of Paganfire. Incidentally, this was recorded live and was from one of the last shows at Freedom Bar and Black Kings Bar before both clubs closed shop. 

When your stylus hits the vinyl, you will notice right away that the sound sounds like it was recorded in a vacuum. That is because the source tape is a videocam with the audio lifted and “mastered” for what it is for vinyl. 

Now you know that, put aside what reservations you have about quality and if you’re an underground metal fan, then suspend that disbelief and try to sift the lofi and figure out the carnage Paganfire can bring (in fact, the flipside that features Nunslaughter live show that also suffers from the same).

Yes, it doesn’t sound too great, but… there is something about the rawness that sounds like a bootleg release. And it’s not too bad even if it does obscure from enjoying the band’s chops. 

Having said that, this is the sound of gnashing.

“Obscured Syndrome” opens the four-track side. The changes in time signature aside, it pummels you from the get go with tortured screaming. If this is the descent into hell, then prepare for the assault on your senses.

In “Much of Madness, More of Sin,” the next track, bassist and vocalist Vro Martin spews out his venom amidst the throbbing thrash and foreboding wrought by the twin guitar attack of Nonoy Padrejuan and M.A. Molino.

The shadows creep and feed on your fear at the start of “Glorious Arson” with the bass supplying the dread. Then the cymbals crash and it’s the sound of the sticks punishing your ears with banshee screams darting in and out.

The last song, “Terminator” finds Roco’s sticks setting the table for a feast of despair.

Raw and bootleg feel aside, Paganfire’s Obscured Visions of Satanic Arson is a must for any fan of underground Philippine metal.